[June 13, 2011] EB, Freescale and QNX Software Systems to Collaborate on Cluster Development Platform for the Automotive Industry Tweet Jun 13, 2011 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- Elektrobit, a developer of embedded technology solutions for the wireless and automotive industries, announced that EB, Freescale Semiconductor and QNX Software Systems Limited have entered into a collaboration to create a solution for creating reconfigurable digital instrument clusters. According to a release, the solution will address automakers' need for a way to deploy or update cluster graphics and functionality across multiple vehicle lines. "Our commitment to the automotive market has always been about providing the platform and tools that give our OEM partners the most innovative technologies while reducing the complexity of development. We firmly believe that our introduction of a rich graphics solution helps us fulfill this promise by taking the in-vehicle experience to the next level," said Martin Schleicher, Vice President Products and Platforms Infotainment, EB Automotive. EB, Freescale and QNX Software Systems will combine and optimize the EBGuide5 HMI tooling and runtime software, the QNX Neutrino Realtime Operating System and hardware-accelerated graphics drivers, and Freescale's i.MX53 processor with dual Graphics Processing Units and integrated automotive peripherals to form a highly efficient base for configurable instrument cluster development with graphical capabilities. The joint collaboration addresses the features required for a fully reconfigurable digital instrument cluster: feature-rich graphics supported by hardware acceleration (OpenGL ES2.0, OpenVG1.1), a tool-based development process and a scalable, standards-based RTOS platform to support software reuse across multiple car models and brands. In partnership with Freescale and QNX, Elektrobit will develop a complete development platform that will help carmakers design and engineer instrument clusters that meet the digital lifestyle-demands of car buyers. The new development platform will allow car makers to design instrumentation that employs interfaces, 2- and 3-D graphics, video, voice recognition and other smart features. At the heart of the system is Freescale's automotive-grade i.MX53 processor, which is specifically designed for applications that require user interface, video processing, 2D and 3D graphics, with a highly optimized graphics subsystem, multiple connectivity options and a high level of system integration. "The i.MX53 is ideally suited for fully reconfigurable instrument clusters. The two integrated GPUs allow high-speed needle animation to be decoupled from the other graphic animation tasks for optimum visual effect. Integrated peripherals such as CAN, MLB, Ethernet and USB allow direct connection to automotive multimedia and diagnostic networks. This collaboration couples the system development environment that customers need to more rapidly develop a highly sophisticated reconfigurable cluster using a proven, automotive-grade hardware solution from Freescale," said Luke Smithwick, Operations Manager for Freescale's Driver Information Systems Business. "With the QNX Neutrino operating system, customers building digital clusters can use an RTOS field-proven in over 20 million vehicles and certified for IEC61508 Safety Integrity Level 3 , this certification offers a tremendous head start for any customer who needs to achieve compliance with the related automotive standard ISO 26262. Moreover, QNX Neutrino offers a highly modular and flexible architecture, allowing customers to use the same OS platform across their infotainment and instrument cluster solutions," said Linda Campbell, director of strategic alliances at QNX Software Systems. Elektrobit, Freescale, and QNX Software Systems will provide a set of tested and optimized, automotive-grade tools, real time operating system and hardware to develop the next generation graphical instrument cluster. Elektrobit specializes in embedded software and hardware solutions for the automotive industry and wireless technologies. Elektrobit's Automotive Software Business is a provider of embedded software solutions for the automotive industry. ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]